Abstract

'The Gut Flora in Clinical Practice: Current Perspectives'Topping up your good bacteria to help maintain health and possibly prevent and treatdisease may well be advice worth taking according to experts at a forthcomingconference at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).Organised by UCLan's Faculty of Health in collaboration with Yakult UK Ltd., theconference will gather together renowned speakers and delegates from across the UK onWednesday, 10 September to review the latest research into the vital roles of bacteria inthe human gut.Professor Peter Aggett OBE, Head of the UCLan's Lancashire Postgraduate School ofMedicine and Health, commented: ''There are more bacteria in our gut than there arecells in our bodies. Most of these bacteria are in the large bowel, and many arebeneficial. We acquire them at birth and they influence the digestion of food, protect usfrom harmful germs, which cause gastroenteritis, and recent research shows that theymay play increasingly important roles in preventing diseases such as food intolerances,bowel inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome and perhaps cancer."The role of bacteria in health maintenance has been increasingly investigated in thepast decade, and we are excited at the prospect of further research in order that we canunderstand what the ideal balance of bacteria in the gut should be, and how that can beachieved."The evidence for beneficial effects and insights into clinical application will bediscussed at the conference. Attendees will include dietitians and nutritionists,researchers, clinicians, general practitioners , heath promotion specialists and students.For further information contact: Alison Hitchen, Events Co-ordinator, Faculty ofHealth, University of Central LancashireTel: +44 (0) 1772 8938082 September 2003nr091ct-ENDS